Baked Ham & Mozzarella Sticks

A savory twist on classic mozzarella sticks, with salty ham and gooey cheese wrapped in a crispy, seasoned breadcrumb coating—all baked, not fried!

Prep Time: 20 mins | Cook Time: 12-15 mins | Chill Time: 30 mins | Total Time: 1 hour 5 mins
Makes: 10–12 sticks

Ingredients

For the Sticks:

• 10–12 sticks mozzarella string cheese (low-moisture part-skim works best)

• 10–12 thin slices deli ham (about ½ lb / 225g)

• 1 large egg

• 1 tbsp water or milk

For the Breading:

• ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• 1 cup (100g) plain breadcrumbs (or panko for extra crunch)

• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning (or dried parsley)

• Cooking spray or olive oil, for spraying

For Serving (Optional):

• Marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or honey mustard

Instructions

1. Prep & Wrap:
   Pat each mozzarella stick dry with a paper towel. Tightly wrap one slice of ham around each cheese stick, making sure the ends are sealed. Place on a plate or tray and freeze for 15–20 minutes (this helps prevent leaking).

2. Set Up Breading Station:

   • Bowl 1: Mix flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and pepper.

   • Bowl 2: Whisk egg with water or milk.

   • Bowl 3: Combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning.

3. Bread the Sticks:
   Remove ham-wrapped cheese from freezer. Roll each stick in the flour mixture, shake off excess. Dip in egg wash, then coat thoroughly in breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. For extra crunch, repeat egg wash and breadcrumb steps. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

4. Chill Again:
   Freeze or refrigerate breaded sticks for at least 15 minutes (up to overnight if covered). This helps the coating set and reduces cheese leakage.

5. Bake:
   Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Generously spray sticks with cooking spray or brush lightly with oil. Bake 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp. Watch closely to avoid over-melting.

6. Serve Immediately:
   Let cool 1–2 minutes on the baking sheet. Serve warm with marinara or your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips & Variations

• Make Ahead: Bread sticks and freeze on a tray before transferring to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding 2–4 extra minutes.

• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.

• Spice It Up: Add ¼ tsp cayenne to the flour or breadcrumb mix.

• Air Fryer Option: Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway.

• Cheese Swap: Try cheddar or pepper jack string cheese.

• Extra Crispy: Add 2 tbsp crushed cornflakes or crispy fried onions to the breadcrumb mix.